RESTAURANTS
Ristorante Gualtiero Marchesi - Erbusco
Say the word “Maestro” to anyone knowledgeable about fine European dining and they will nod enthusiastically before replying, “Ah. You must mean Gualtiero Marchesi.” The founder of modern Italian cuisine and an overall culinary genius, the Milan native and octogenarian is still going strong. The night we dined at his elegant, art-filled restaurant at L’Albereta Relais & Chateaux, we were privileged to discover a humble, engaging man who greeted us as if we were old friends, apologizing profusely for the fact that he soon had to leave to attend his granddaughter’s concert. But, he assured us, he had personally overseen our evening’s dishes, leaving the finishing touches in the hands of his capable chefs. We were served one masterpiece after another, a full seven courses comprising 28 different dishes, each one a brilliant representation of Marchesi’s prodigious talent as both a chef and an artist. Art is very important to his life, as is drama, and he uses both to great effect. Once everyone is seated at the restaurant, all eyes are drawn to a lively painting of a chef conducting musical notes against a cloud-filled blue sky. Soon, the painting is lifted up to reveal a window showcasing the symphony of movement within his bustling kitchen. The menu is no less dramatic. Many dishes cleverly pay homage to Marchesi’s favorite artists, delighting the eyes as well as the palate. One of his most famous dishes, dripping di pesce, augments pieces of baby squid with dollops of colorful garnishes in a lively mimic of Jackson Pollock’s “drip” technique; a saffron rice dish, riso oro e zafferano, becomes a vivid study in abstraction when topped with a gleaming square of gold leaf; and a beautiful poached pear dessert echoes the colors and movement in Velasco’s Vela. But form never outweighs substance in any dish; the Maestro still remains true to his essential principles of simplicity, quality, and beauty, bringing out the very best that every ingredient has to offer. During our month-long sojourn to Italy, we visited many fine hotels and restaurants, and meeting the Maestro was the highlight of our journey and our lives. His books are now proudly displayed in our kitchen as reminders of his love for food, family, music, and art. His ability to share these passions with such grace and good humor is truly inspirational.
Ristorante Gualtiero Marchesi - Erbusco
Via Vittorio Emanuele n° 23
25030 Erbusco (Brescia), Italia
Tel: 39 030 7760562
Fax: +39 030 7760379
E-mail: info@marchesi.it
Web site: www.marchesi.it
Located in: L'Albereta Relais & Chateaux
Grand Chefs Relais&Chateaux
Les Grandes Tables du Monde - Traditions & Qualitè
Le Soste